Faith Read Free Page B

shied away from the possibility that Monet could be the victim at St. Bernard’s. But his logical, orderly mind knew the woman in the hospital was probably Monet.
    Wade was fifty years old, five years Marcus’s senior. He was an inch taller than his wife, Liz, and his cinnamon colored face projected a kindly demeanor. He was medium in build and put God first in his life, followed by Liz, his children, family and friends. Wade could be depended on to be level headed in a crisis, which is why he drove himself and Marcus to the hospital. He kept glancing worriedly at his partner.
    â€œYou okay, man?” he asked.
    â€œI don’t know. I can’t imagine anything happening to Monet. She’s my life, man,” Marcus replied.
    â€œI know what you mean. Shoot, I feel the same way about Liz and my kids. The kids drive me crazy sometimes, but I’d still lay down my life for them. But you know, man, if the victim is Monet, you two will get through this situation. You know the Lord doesn’t put more on us than we can bear.”
    Marcus shook his head from side to side sadly. “In my head, I know you’re right. But why would a loving God allow this to happen to Monet? You know my baby; she wouldn’t hurt a fly. She’d try to shoo one out the door or window before she’d kill it. I don’t know if I can take it if Monet is hurt badly.”
    â€œYou’ll be okay, Marc. Just trust in God. Plus, we don’t know that Monet was hurt yet, so we could be jumping the gun.” Wade tried to calm his partner.
    â€œWade, I called Nay-Nay’s cell phone,” Marcus looked troubled, and his voice dropped, “and a man answered. He actually laughed and hung up. If I had any hopes about Monet not being the victim, they were thwarted when I heard that voice. Man, that voice is in my head. It’s like he’s laughing and pleased about what he did.”
    â€œDon’t let him get to you, Marc. You know how those types are. The good thing is the cell phone has a GPS system, so maybe we can get a handle on him. Let’s just hope he keeps her cell phone a little longer.” Secretly Wade agreed with Marcus’s assessment of the situation, but thought he needed to encourage his friend for what lay ahead when they arrived at the hospital.
    â€œIf he hurt Monet, then I want to hurt him back,” Marcus confessed as he peered out the window. “I want him to suffer like she’s suffering.”
    â€œNaw, man, you can’t do that. Vengeance is mine, said the Lord. Let God and the courts take care of this matter, and everything will work out. You’ll need your strength to take care of Monet if she’s hurt. As soon as we get to the hospital, I’m going to go see Smitty and tell him about Monet’s cell phone; it could be a promising lead. Don’t be foolish, Marc; let the people best equipped for these situations do what they have to do,” Wade said.
    When they arrived at the hospital, Wade pulled the car in front of the emergency room entrance and said to Marcus, “I know you’re eager to see what’s going on, but before we go in, I want to say a quick prayer.”
    â€œGo ahead, make it quick,” Marcus replied tight lipped.
    Wade turned off the car and bowed his head. “Father, we come to you, asking that you take care of Monet and Marcus. If Monet is hurt, Lord, heal her body like I know you can. Give Marcus wisdom to do the right thing, and leave the legalities to the proper authorities. We know that your way isn’t easy at times, but we can take comfort in knowing that you promised never to leave us. And I know that you won’t. I ask this blessing in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
    He glanced over at Marcus, who sat in the car brushing tears away from his eyes. “Aw, come on, Marc, everything’s going to be all right. We’ve been with each other through some tough times, and if Monet is